Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
The Root-Mantra of Tvaritā
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra
भेदने छेदने चैव मारणेषु शिवो भवेत् तारकं नेत्रमुद्दिष्टं शान्तिपुष्टौ नियोजयेत्
bhedane chedane caiva māraṇeṣu śivo bhavet tārakaṃ netramuddiṣṭaṃ śāntipuṣṭau niyojayet
भेदन, छेदन तथा मारण-क्रियाओं में शिव-रूप का प्रयोग करे। ‘तारक-नेत्र’ मंत्र निर्दिष्ट है; उसे शांति और पुष्टि (समृद्धि-पोषण) के लिए नियोजित करे।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Selection and deployment of deity-form (Śiva) and a specific mantric ‘Netra’ (Tāraka-netra) across rite-types: bhedana/chedana/māraṇa, and also śānti–puṣṭi applications.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śiva-prayoga & Tāraka-netra (Śānti–Puṣṭi / Abhichāra Interface)","lookup_keywords":["taraka-netra","shiva-prayoga","bhedana","chedana","shanti-pushti"],"quick_summary":"Defines which divine form and ‘netra’ formula to employ across both coercive and benefic rites: Śiva for forceful operations; Tāraka-netra specifically for pacification and nourishment/prosperity."}
Concept: Ritual taxonomy: matching deity-form and mantra-module (‘netra’) to desired karmic operation (destructive vs pacificatory/prosperity).
Application: Use as a decision-rule in ritual design: choose Śiva-form for bhedana/chedana/māraṇa; deploy Tāraka-netra specifically when the goal is śānti or puṣṭi.
Khanda Section: Mantra-tantra & Yantra-netra Prayoga (Protective/operative rites; Shanti–Pushti applications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual manual-like scene showing two pathways: fierce Śiva invoked for splitting/cutting/lethal rites, and a luminous ‘Tāraka Netra’ symbol applied for śānti and puṣṭi.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split-panel composition: left—ugra Śiva with trident and fiery aura over bhedana/chedana symbols; right—calm Śiva with a radiant eye-emblem labeled Tāraka-netra, lotus and conch motifs for śānti–puṣṭi, flat iconic forms","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Śiva with ornate halo and gold embossing, a prominent stylized eye (netra) motif above the palm, surrounding medallions reading bhedana/chedana/māraṇa and śānti/puṣṭi, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: diagrammatic ‘netra’ emblem, arrows to ‘śānti’ and ‘puṣṭi’, small vignette of Śiva-form for forceful rites, fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a courtly scholar-sādhaka presenting a folio with an eye-diagram to a patron; in the margin, a small depiction of Śiva in fierce and calm aspects, meticulous detailing and restrained palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; नेत्रमुद्दिष्टं = नेत्रम् + उद्दिष्टम्; शान्तिपुष्टौ = शान्ति + पुष्टौ (द्वन्द्व, locative dual)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 311 (netra/yantra/mantra operational sections)
FAQs
It assigns specific ritual “applications” (viniyoga): Śiva-form usage in bhedana/chedana/māraṇa operations, and the Tāraka Netra-mantra for śānti (pacification) and puṣṭi (prosperity/nourishment) rites.
It exemplifies the text’s catalog-like coverage of operative ritual technologies—naming specialized mantra-units (Netra) and mapping them to practical outcomes (destructive vs. benefic rites), alongside many other disciplines the Agni Purana compiles.
It frames mantra-use as responsibility-bound: destructive applications are linked with a specific deity-form (Śiva), while the same system also prescribes pacifying and prosperity-enhancing deployments (śānti–puṣṭi), implying differentiated intent and corresponding karmic weight.